Why protein powder will be your new best friend ☺ After a workout your body needs to repair itself and will start tearing down the muscles you already have. You want to keep these muscles, as lean muscle increases your metabolism. Slow metabolism leads to weight gain. This is why protein powder is so important. A protein shake is one of the best sources of protein that you can consume after working out as it’s easily and quickly digested, which gives your body what it needs when it needs it. The magic window to take it is within an hour after your workout. But which protein is best? Whey protein (which comes from milk) is certainly the most well known and unless you are lactose intolerant or vegan it can be used by everyone (and it is naturally gluten free). There are 2 types of whey protein that work very differently to each other: WPI (whey protein isolate) is the best one to have after your workout as it is the fastest acting however it is also the most expensive as it undergoes a far complicated filtering process. WPC (whey protein concentrate) is less filtered therefore it takes a lot longer for the body to absorb (about 2 hours). It also has less protein content however on the plus side it is usually less than half the price of WPI. Great to have as a snack in between meals as it keeps you sated. A very popular choice for many people is a blend of WPI/WPC as you get the fast absorption rate but at a reasonable price point. Casein (another milk derivative) is a super slow digesting protein – usually up to 7 hours – and is ideal as a pre bedtime option or for anyone who may not be able to get a supply of protein for an extended period of time. Soy or egg white protein powder is a great alternative to whey if you are vegetarian or lactose intolerant without compromising on the protein content. Things to look out for: 1. Make sure it is not a MASS gainer – these are powders designed to put weight on and make you BULKY!! 2. Always look at the label when deciding on a protein powder and make sure it doesnt contain any more that 7-10 ingredients, you want to be paying for protein not fillers 3. Aim for powders that contain: Low Fat (1-5 grams is ok) Low Carb (1-5 grams is ok) High Protein (normally about 20-30 grams per serving) My personal preference is BioX Power Whey complex when I’m in off season (WPI/WPC blend). This little gem is made of superior Canadian whey and is the most cost effective when compared against other brands and comes in amazing flavours other than the traditional vanilla and chocolate like banana, chocolate peanut butter, rocky road, orange creamsicle, cookies and cream and strawberry. Best of all it can be used for baking and creating delicious desserts.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 11:12:04 +0000